Caitlin Gillespie: in South Lake Tahoe, CA

When my seasonal Vail job ended I returned to my cafe manager position in Florida, but I knew it wouldn't take long for me to get back to Tahoe. I arrived back in town earlier this year, just in time to catch most of the winter. Being such a tourism driven area, I knew my serving experience would be a great support in South Lake Tahoe. I have been employed full-time as a server at McP's Taphouse since July and my role requires: --working with people with diverse backgrounds --clarifying customer requests --time management, multitasking, adaptability --strong knowledge of products, promotions, and health & safety standards --expert use of sales software to ensure error-free transactions

After spending a few summers and one very brutally cold, yet epic, winter season in Maryland I decided to head for warmer waters. I found myself in Brevard County, Florida, home to Kelly Slater & the Hobgood brothers as well as a ton of other great figures in the surf industry. I had the pleasure of serving them all while managing a cafe in downtown Cocoa Beach. At Juice 'n Java I was hired as a barista but helped grow the company when I was promoted to manager. My experiences included: --ensuring patrons received outstanding service --assigning positions and delegating tasks to team --money handling, making deposits, and transactions within safe --tracking, planning, and projecting orders, inventory, and sales --creating training procedures and documents --event planning and promoting --managing social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)

Things changed after I graduated college.. I moved home and got a job as a waitress while helping care for my ailing grandfather. That next summer I took off to Ocean City, Maryland where I taught myself to surf and bodyboard. It became an obsession.. I couldn't stay out of the water, I even become a pirate, really! My position required: --memorization and delivery of one hour script --providing clear instructions for passengers regarding safety aboard the vessel --daily maintenance and upkeep --upkeep of Boater's safety license and CPR certification

In high school i was one of those silly little punk rock kids. One year my band, The Flying Wendys, got an invite to compete in this awesome battle of the bands against other county high schoolers. Well, haha.. we totally bombed and the band eventually broke up, but each year after that from 2004-11 I volunteered my time to the event from December through January. It was always a blast because I got to work with some of my best friends, but it did take a lot to pull off each year.. some of some responsibilities included: --reconnecting with former sponsors & seeking new ones --communicating with 15 county schools sending their top acts --creating & organizing information packets --booking qualified judges & production engineers --creative input for the new graphics and merchandise each year --instructing volunteers --carrying and setting up equipment --cueing sponsors to the stage for their promo spots